Luke from BL Eg 1070, f. 12v - Public domain medieval manuscript

Two quatrilobed miniatures: Evangelist portrait of Luke; his symbol, the ox. Image taken from f. 12v of Book of Hours, Use of Paris ('The Hours of René d'Anjou'). Written in Latin, calendar and rubrics in French.

In artistic depictions, St. Luke is often shown holding an ox or with an ox nearby, as a symbol of his association with the Gospel of Luke and his devotion to Jesus and the Holy Family. The image of St. Luke with an ox is a reminder of the importance of sacrifice, devotion, and compassion in the Christian life.

The Egerton Manuscript Collection is named after its founder, Sir Thomas Egerton (1540-1617), 1st Viscount Brackley, was a lawyer, statesman, and patron of the arts during the reigns of Queen Elizabeth I and King James I of England. He served as Lord Keeper of the Great Seal and later as Lord Chancellor of England, holding high positions in the legal and political realms.

Sir Thomas Egerton acquired a substantial number of historical and literary manuscripts. In 1617, shortly before his death, Sir Thomas Egerton bequeathed his collection of manuscripts to the British Museum, which was the precursor to the British Library.